Women’s players from Spain and Sweden protest with the sign “It’s over”

In response to the sexism controversy that has rocked the Spanish football association, the world champion Spanish team and its Swedish rivals on Friday hoisted aloft a banner with the message “It’s over” in protest.

Six minutes into extra time, Mariona Caldentey struck a penalty to give Spain a 3-2 victory in the Nations League match in Gothenburg.

Before the game, there was a protest when previous federation head Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips. Spain was playing for the first time since winning the World Cup.

The 22 athletes raised a banner that said “Se Acabo” (English translation: “It’s over”) in Spanish, adding that their battle against chauvinism and sexual assault was part of “the global fight” for equality between men and women.

The Spanish ladies lifted their fists just before to the start of Friday’s Nations League game to expose bracelets that included messages of opposition and support.

Some just scrawled “Jenni” or the number 10 on Hermoso’s shirt, but the majority bore the identical “Se Acabo” message.

Montse Tome, the new coach, “protected her” by not selecting Hermoso for the match.

Nine of the 23 world champions who had resisted joining the squad after the Rubiales affair and demanded significant reforms inside the Spanish Football Federation eventually took the field for the first kickoff on Friday.

The triumph, according to Tome, “manages to make you forget the days we’ve had.”

Furthermore, it indicates that we have guys with extraordinary skill. They like doing what they do. They are skilled at playing soccer, so we need to help them feel like they can focus completely on the game.

Magdalena Eriksson gave the home team the lead in the 23rd minute.

Seven minutes before halftime, Athenea del Castillo brought the score equal. In the 77th minute, Eva Navarro gave Spain the lead, but Lina Hurtig answered for Sweden.

Five minutes into the extra time, Amanda Ilestedt of Sweden was given a straight red card for giving up the penalty that Caldentey converted.

true Madrid striker Del Castillo said, “It’s been a difficult few days for all of us, but we’ve shown that we’re a real team who want to represent our nation and fight to the end.”

“That is what matters. I’m hoping that the current adjustments will continue and everything will proceed well.

“Over the last few days, we were exhausted and had trouble sleeping, but I’m happy with the work we were able to accomplish.”